Denise Welch
Denise Welch opens up to new about feeling fab at 61 and her ongoing mental health battle
Denise Welch has maintained her 2st weight loss for six years thanks to Lighterlife – and she doesn’t plan on stopping in 2020. In fact, the Loose Women panellist tells us she feels more confident than ever.
“You’ve got to change your mindset,” she says.
“I’m only 61 and could have another 30 years left on this earth, so I want to look after myself as best as I can.”
The actress, who is married to artist Lincoln Townley and has been teetotal for seven years, also thanks her lifestyle for helping her manage her mental health after being diagnosed with depression 30 years ago.
“I talk about the condition as an uninvited guest who comes along and can destroy so many parts of a person’s life,” she says. “Being healthier has meant I manage those episodes better than before.”
Here, the star opens up about confiding in her
Loose Women pals, cheat meals and going to LA…
Hi Denise! How do you stay motivated?
If I feel that urge coming on [to eat something unhealthy] I take a minute to think how I’m going to feel afterwards. I’m not saying I don’t have treats – I enjoy fish and chips or a curry – but I have them when I make an informed decision, rather than reaching for them in times of stress.
What’s your daily diet like?
If I’m having a busy day, I’ll have a Lighterlife porridge for breakfast. For lunch, I’ll have pitta bread and hummus and for dinner a Lighterlife bar. But the next day I could go for a big lunch and have whatever’s going!
Do you exercise, too?
Fitness is the one addiction I haven’t got, but I do walk much more. The arthritis in my knee improved by 90 per cent when I lost weight. It’s not just about looking fab in tight trousers, it’s about how I feel physically and mentally.
Has confidence come with age?
oh God, yeah! I’m a size 12 and I’m happy at that. I go on holiday and put bikini shots out there. I would never have done that when I was younger.
You’ve documented your battle with depression in a series of Twitter videos. How did it feel to share it?
I needed to show people how it feels. If you share the good times and ask people to celebrate with you, they also need to see the downsides.
You should never be jealous of anyone, because everybody’s fighting a battle you have no idea about it.
Have your Loose Women co-stars been a good support?
We confide in each other. When I posted the videos, they reached out to me publicly and privately.
Are you happy to be back on the panel?
I love it. I was away for six years and thought it was in the past. But the fun had come back and the personalities were the right mix, so it felt like the right time to return.
What are your goals for 2020?
I want to remain healthy and pick up my exercise. I also want to smell the roses more this year. All my life as an actor I’ve been defined by my work, so I’ll be spending some more time in LA because I ain’t getting any younger!
Tell us about your journey with Lighterlife…
I wanted to lose weight quickly and safely with a plan where you don’t put it straight back on again. Lighterlife works because it gives you tools to maintain your weight loss.
Denise supports Lighterlife’s Live Your Dream campaign, helping people live the life they’ve dreamt of after reaching their weight-loss goals. Visit lighterlife.com